On today's Lucky Old Souls, Feldie digs deep into the blues and R&B canons in search of the roots of rap.  Don't expect a thorough historical analysis, but do expect some great tracks featuring the "rapping" of Cab Calloway, Bo Diddley, Big Maybelle, and many others.

Next week: Drummer Lucky Thompson (former Nina Simone sideman) joins Feldie in the studio.  Lucky is one of the featured artists at the next Lucky Old Souls @ Moonstone show.

Full playlist here as it unfolds:

Sunday was the 77th anniversary of the birth of Eunice Kathleen Waymon, aka Nina Simone.  To celebrate, Feldie will be playing Nina Simone's debut album, Little Girl Blue, in its entirety.  Recorded in 1957 when Nina was 24 (with Jimmy Bond on bass and Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums), the album is a remarkable accomplishment--even though it was recorded in just 14 hours and, at the time, Nina still had no interest in being a popular singer; her goal was still to be a classical concert pianist, a role she'd been training for since she was a young child.  From the song selection to the vocal interpretations to the incredible piano playing, Nina's style seems fully formed on this album. 

The 2nd half of today's Lucky Old Souls will feature party music to keep your spirits up on this grey winter day.  Expect tracks from Amos Milburn, Ruth Brown, John Lee Hooker, and more.

Full playlist here, as it unfolds:

Join Feldie and his guest Timothy Hayes for a discussion of Atlanta's Royal Peacock, one of the premiere venues for R&B from the '40s through the '60s.  Everyone from Dinah Washington to Sam & Dave performed there, and Tim spent many a night in the club as a child helping his father, who worked in the kitchen. Tim will share his memories, and Feldie will spin tracks from some of the artists who Tim heard perform.  Don't miss this very special edition of Lucky Old Souls.

While it's no Royal Peacock, Center City Philly's Moonstone Arts Center is still a great place to hear music.  This month's Lucky Old Souls @ Moonstone show is Friday night, and features trumpeter Herb Robertson's trio and Resistance Message, with frequent Lucky Old Souls guest Jef Lee Johnson on guitar.  Full details here.  You can also learn about the show and other Lucky Old Souls activities by following Lucky Old Souls on Twitter or joining the Lucky Old Souls Facebook group.

Full playlist for today's show here as it unfolds: 

The song "Bewildered" was a hit in 1938, a hit again in 1948 (for 2 different artists!), and still being recorded at least into the '70s.  It's not exactly a standard, but it was certainly a song with some staying power.  On today's Lucky Old Souls, you'll hear many different versions of it, including Mildred Bailey's, Amos Milburn's, Billy Eckstine's, and two by James Brown.  Also: Feldie will connect the dots between Eric Dolphy and Etta Jones and share some R&B hits from 1949.  Plenty of surprises, too.

Be sure to tune in next week as well, when drummer/record collector/scholar Timothy Hayes joins Feldie to share his memories of Atlanta's legendary Royal Peacock, where everyone from Ray Charles to the Four Tops performed.

Full playlist for today's show here as it unfolds... 

Music from Mary Lou Williams, Amos Milburn, Leon Thomas, Lionel Loueke, and many more on today's Lucky Old Souls. 

And, in the second of hour of the show, Feldie will talk to drummer Rob Henderson, who leads the Sunday night jam session at LaRose Social Club, around the corner from the G-town Radio studio at 5531 Germantown Ave. 

Remember to keep up with Lucky Old Souls by visiting luckyoldsouls.com and following @luckyoldsouls on Twitter.

Full playlist for today's show here as it happens: 

Another Tuesday afternoon, another 2 hours of great music on Lucky Old Souls... Feldie honors drummer Ed Thigpen and the great vocalist Teddy Pendergrass, both of whom passed away last week.  Also: several tracks from tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, more music from the Loma Records label, and more from drummer Art Taylor, author of the seminal book of musician-to-musician interviews Notes And Tones.

In honor of yesterday's Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, why not read Dr. King's thoughts on jazz music?  

Full playlist for today's show here as it unfolds:

After a week off, Feldie's back with another great edition of Lucky Old Souls: Some mid-'60s tracks from Loma Records, the LA-based R&B subsidiary of Warner Records and lots of Art Taylor, one of the great modern jazz drummers and author of the seminal book of musician interviews Notes And Tones.  Listening to A.T. will also give us a chance to hear from Monk, Bud Powell, Trane, Jackie McLean, and others. 

Plenty more great music too...

Full playlist for today's show here as it unfolds: 

Lucky Old Souls will return to G-town Radio next Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 2 p.m., with the usual mix of jazz, rhythm & blues, and more.

The next concert in the Lucky Old Souls @ Moonstone series is this Friday and features veteran Philly pianist Alfie Pollitt and guitarist Ben "Bananas" O'Neill, who was recently nominated for a Grammy for a collaboration with R&B singer Eric Roberson.

Lucky Old Souls @ Moonstone
Jazz and more... the 2nd Friday of each month

 
Friday, January 8, 2010

ALFIE POLLITT, solo piano

O’NEILL/MICELI
Ben “Bananas” O’Neill, guitar
Tony Miceli, vibraphone
performing music by Ellington & Strayhorn


Moonstone Arts Center (formerly Robin's Books)
110 S. 13th St., 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA
$10 at the door / $8 in advance / BYOB
Doors: 8:30 p.m. Show: 9 p.m. sharp

Lucky Old Souls @ Moonstone is a monthly event, showcasing some of Philadelphia’s most creative musicians in a laid-back, BYOB venue that combines the intimacy of a club with a concert hall's respect for the music.

More at www.luckyoldsouls.com.